Double acting traveling bolster apparatus for presses

Claim 2

In a traveling bolster assembly for incorporation on power presses, said presses of the type having an upper movable ram, a lower press bed, and means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed, the improvement comprising: two traveling bolsters adapted to be mounted on opposing sides of the center of the ram of such a press, each bolster extending substantially the full width of said ram on its respective side, means for mounting each of said bolsters on such a press for reciprocal movement only on its respective side of the center of said ram, each bolster moving between a loading position spaced generally horizontally from said ram wherein materials are loaded on the bolster and a working position in alignment with and beneath the ram wherein a working operation is performed on the supported material by the ram, said bolsters when simultaneously in their working positions being located on their respective sides of and adjacent to said center of said ram with no portions of said bolsters being in said loading positions; power means for simultaneously reciprocating each of said bolsters between said loading and working positions whereby at least a portion of both of said bolsters are simultaneously brought into registry and alignment with such a ram such that the ram may operate on the material loaded on both of said bolsters at the same time.

Claim 3

In a traveling bolster assembly for incorporation on power presses, said presses of the type having an upper movable ram, a lower press bed, and means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed, the improvement comprising: two traveling bolsters adapted to be mounted on opposing sides of the center of the ram of such a press, each bolster extending substantially the full width of said ram on its respective side, means for mounting each of said bolsters on such a press for reciprocal movement only on its respective side of the center of said ram, each bolster moving between a loading position spaced generally horizontally from said ram wherein materials are loaded on the bolster and a working position in alignment with and beneath the ram wherein a working operation is performed on the supported material by the ram, said bolsters when simultaneously in their working positions being located on their respective sides of and adjacent to said center of said ram with no portions of said bolsters being in said loading positions; power means for simultaneously reciprocating each of said bolsters between said loading and working positions whereby at least a portion of both of said bolsters are simultaneously brought into registry and alignment with such a ram such that the ram may operate on the material loaded on both of said bolsters at the same time.

Claim 4

In a traveling bolster assembly for incorporation on power presses, said presses of the type having an upper movable ram, a lower press bed, and means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed, the improvement comprising: two traveling bolsters adapted to be mounted on opposing sides of the center of the ram of such a press, each bolster extending substantially the full width of said ram on its respective side, means for mounting each of said bolsters on such a press for reciprocal movement only on its respective side of the center of said ram, each bolster moving between a loading position spaced generally horizontally from said ram wherein materials are loaded on the bolster and a working position in alignment with and beneath the ram wherein a working operation is performed on the supported material by the ram, said bolsters when simultaneously in their working positions being located on their respective sides of and adjacent to said center of said ram with no portions of said bolsters being in said loading positions; power means for simultaneously reciprocating each of said bolsters between said loading and working positions whereby at least a portion of both of said bolsters are simultaneously brought into registry and alignment with such a ram such that the ram may operate on the material loaded on both of said bolsters at the same time.

Claim 5

The bolster assembly of claim 1 further including manual control means for actuating said power means, said control means including separate manual control actuators mounted adjacent each of said loading positions of each of said bolsters a distance from the ram which prevents the operator of each manual control means from reaching under the ram.

Claim 6

The bolster assembly of claim 2 wherein said manual control actuators are mounted above each of said loading positions.

Claim 7

The bolster assembly of claim 2 wherein each of said bolsters includes a front edge which is the farthest edge from the ram when the assembly is mounted on a press; said manual control means being mounted a distance beyond said front edge away from said ram.

Claim 8

The bolster assembly of claim 2 including control means which cause operation of said bolsters and ram only when said manual control actuaTors adjacent each of said loading positions are actuated.

Claim 9

The bolster assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said bolsters has a size sufficient to include a plurality of loading stations therealong and manual control actuators adjacent each of said loading stations for actuating said power means.

Claim 10

The bolster assembly of claim 6 including control means for causing operation of said bolsters and ram only when said manual control actuators adjacent each of said loading positions are actuated.

Claim 11

The bolster assembly of claim 1 wherein said power means comprise fluid cylinders mounted adjacent and on either side of each of said bolsters; said assembly includes housings extending along both sides of said bolsters; fluid cylinders for one side of each of said bolsters being located in one of said housings; said fluid cylinders in each of said housings being offset vertically and overlapped with respect to one another within said housing.

Claim 12

In a traveling bolster assembly for incorporation on power presses, said presses of the type having an upper movable ram, a lower press bed, and means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed, the improvement comprising: two traveling bolsters adapted to be mounted on opposing sides of the center of the ram of such a press, means for mounting each of said bolsters on such a press for movement between a loading position spaced generally horizontally from said ram wherein materials are loaded on the bolster and a working position in alignment with and beneath the ram wherein a working operation is performed on the supported material by the ram; power means for simultaneously reciprocating each of said bolsters between said loading and working positions whereby at least a portion of both of said bolsters are simultaneously brought into registry and alignment with such a ram such that the ram may operate on the material loaded on both of said bolsters at the same time; said power means including fluid cylinders mounted adjacent and on either side of each of said bolsters; said assembly including housings extending along both sides of said bolsters; fluid cylinders for one side of each of said bolsters being located in one of said housings; said fluid cylinders in each of said housings being offset vertically and overlapped with respect to one another within said housing; said housings also including shock absorbers for each of said bolsters in both said loading and working positions of each bolster.

Claim 13

In a traveling bolster assembly for incorporation on power presses, said presses of the type having an upper movable ram, a lower press bed, and means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed, the improvement comprising: two traveling bolsters adapted to be mounted on opposing sides of the center of the ram of such a press, means for mounting each of said bolsters on such a press for movement between a loading position spaced generally horizontally from said ram wherein materials are loaded on the bolster and a working position in alignment with and beneath the ram wherein a working operation is performed on the supported material by the ram; power means for simultaneously reciprocating each of said bolsters between said loading and working positions whereby at least a portion of both of said bolsters are simultaneously brought into registry and alignment with such a ram such that the ram may operate on the material loaded on both of said bolsters at the same time; said power means including fluid cylinders mounted adjacent and on either side of each of said bolsters; said assembly including housings extending along both sides of said bolsters; fluid cylinders for one side of each of said bolsters being located in one of said housings; said fluid cylinders in each of said housings being offset vertically and overlapped with respect to one another within said housing; said housings also including shock absorbers for each of said bolsters in both said loading and working positions of each bolster.

Claim 14

In a traveling bolster assembly for incorporation on power presses, said presses of the type having an upper movable ram, a lower press bed, and means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed, the improvement comprising: two traveling bolsters adapted to be mounted on opposing sides of the center of the ram of such a press, means for mounting each of said bolsters on such a press for movement between a loading possition spaced generally horizontally from said ram wherein materials are loaded on the bolster and a working position in alignment with and beneath the ram wherein a working operation is performed on the supported material by the ram; power means for simultaneously reciprocating each of said bolsters between said loading and working positions whereby at least a portion of both of said bolsters are simultaneously brought into registry and alignment with such a ram such that the ram may operate on the material loaded on both of said boslters at the same time; said bolsters including rear edges which are adjacent one another and define an area therebetween when said bolsters are in said working positions; each of said bolsters including shielding means for preventing foreign materials from being deposited in said area between said rear edges.

Claim 15

In a traveling bolster assembly for incorporation on power presses, said presses of the type having an upper movable ram, a lower press bed, and means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed, the improvement comprising: two traveling bolsters adapted to be mounted on opposing sides of the center of the ram of such a press, means for mounting each of said bolsters on such a press for movement between a loading possition spaced generally horizontally from said ram wherein materials are loaded on the bolster and a working position in alignment with and beneath the ram wherein a working operation is performed on the supported material by the ram; power means for simultaneously reciprocating each of said bolsters between said loading and working positions whereby at least a portion of both of said bolsters are simultaneously brought into registry and alignment with such a ram such that the ram may operate on the material loaded on both of said boslters at the same time; said bolsters including rear edges which are adjacent one another and define an area therebetween when said bolsters are in said working positions; each of said bolsters including shielding means for preventing foreign materials from being deposited in said area between said rear edges.

Claim 16

In a traveling bolster assembly for incorporation on power presses, said presses of the type having an upper movable ram, a lower press bed, and means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed, the improvement comprising: two traveling bolsters adapted to be mounted on opposing sides of the center of the ram of such a press, means for mounting each of said bolsters on such a press for movement between a loading position spaced generally horizontally from said ram wherein materials are loaded on the bolster and a working position in alignment with and beneath the ram wherein a working operation is performed on the supported material by the ram; power means for simultaneously reciprocating each of said bolsters between said loading and working positions whereby at least a portion of both of said bolsters are simultaneously brought into registry and alignment with such a ram such that the ram may operate on the material loaded on both of said bolsters at the same time; said power means including fluid cylinders on either side of each of said bolsters; each fluid cylinder having an extendable piston and piston rod; said piston rods each being connected to said respective bolster by connecting arms; and registry means for indicating the correct positioning of said bolsters in said working positions and means for actuating reciprocation of the ram on a press in response to the indication of said correct positions; said registry means being mounted for engagement with said connecting arms.

Claim 17

In a traveling bolster assembly for incorporation on power presses, said presses of the type having an upper movable ram, a lower press bed, and means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed, the improvement comprising: two traveling bolsters adapted to be mounted on opposing sides of the center of the ram of such a press, means for mounting each of said bolsters on such a press for movement between a loading position spaced generally horizontally from said ram wherein materials are loaded on the bolster and a working position in alignment with and beneath the ram wherein a working operation is performed on the supported material by the ram; power means for simultaneously reciprocating each of said bolsters between said loading and working positions whereby at least a portion of both of said bolsters are simultaneously brought into registry and alignment with such a ram such that the ram may operate on the material loaded on both of said bolsters at the same time; said power means including fluid cylinders on either side of each of said bolsters; each fluid cylinder having an extendable piston and piston rod; said piston rods each being connected to said respective bolster by connecting arms; and registry means for indicating the correct positioning of said bolsters in said working positions and means for actuating reciprocation of the ram on a press in response to the indication of said correct positions; said registry means being mounted for engagement with said connecting arms.

Claim 18

The bolster assembly of claim 11 wherein said registry means comprise extensible pins; said reciprocation actuating means comprising limit switches engaged by abutments secured to said pins.

Claim 19

In a traveling bolster assembly for incorporation on power presses, said presses of the type having an upper movable ram, a lower press bed, and means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed, the improvement comprising: two traveling bolsters adapted to be mounted on opposing sides of the center of the ram of such a press, means for mounting each of said bolsters on such a press for movement between a loading position spaced generally horizontally from said ram wherein materials are loaded on the bolster and a working position in alignment with and beneath the ram wherein a working operation is performed on the supported material by the ram; power means for simultaneously reciprocating each of said bolsters between said loading and working positions whereby at least a portion of both of said bolsters are simultaneously brought into registry and alignment with such a ram such that the ram may operate on the material loaded on both of said bolsters at the same time; control means for causing operation of said power means; said control means comprising circuit means having timing means for causing said power means to move each of said bolsters from said loading positions to said working positions within a predetermined time period; said control means adapted to return both of said bolsters to said loading positions if either one or the other or both of said bolsters fails to reach said respective working positions within said predetermined time period.

Claim 20

In a traveling bolster assembly for incorporation on power presses, said presses of the type having an upper movable ram, a lower press bed, and means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed, the improvement comprising: two traveling bolsters adapted to be mounted on opposing sides of the center of the ram of such a press, means for mounting each of said bolsters on such a press for movement between a loading position spaced generally horizontally from said ram wherein materials are loaded on the bolster and a working position in alignment with and beneath the ram wherein a working operation is performed on the supported material by the ram; power means for simultaneously reciprocating each of said bolsters between said loading and working positions whereby at least a portion of both of said bolsters are simultaneously brought into registry and alignment with such a ram such that the ram may operate on the material loaded on both of said bolsters at the same time; control means for causing operation of said power means; said control means comprising circuit means having timing means for causing said power means to move each of said bolsters from said loading positions to said working positions within a predetermined time period; said control means adapted to return both of said bolsters to said loading positions if either one or the other or both of said bolsters fails to reach said respective working positions within said predetermined time period.

Claim 21

The bolster assembly of claim 1 including control means for operating said power means; said control means comprising circuit means and selection means for selective operation of said circuit means; said selection means including first means for selecting coordinated low speed operation of both of said bolsters and the ram; second means for selecting coordinated high speed operation of both of said bolsters and the ram; and third means for selecting operation of the ram alone when said bolsters are both in said working positions; said circuit means including means for preventing further operation of said bolster and ram if movement of either bolster to said working position is obstructed.

Claim 22

A traveling bolster assembly for presses including a ram or punch having a centerline which moves in a general plane; said assembly comprising two bolsters, each bolster extending substantially the entire width of said ram on its respective side thereof; means for mounting said bolsters for opposing movement generally transverse to both the general plane oF movement and said centerline of the ram on opposing sides of the ram; means for reciprocating each of said bolsters on only its respective side of said centerline between a loading position wherein material to be worked is loaded on said bolster at a position spaced horizontally from the ram from which the operator cannot reach under the ram and a working position wherein said bolster is in alignment beneath the ram and a work operation is performed by the ram on the material loaded on said bolster; said loading positions of each of said bolsters being on opposite sides of the ram; said working positions of each of said bolsters being adjacent but on opposing sides of the ram with no portions of said bolsters being in said loading positions whereby each bolster is simultaneously in alignment with the ram along its entire side of the ram and material loaded on each bolster may be simultaneously worked by the ram; power means for moving said bolsters between said loading and working positions; and control means for controlling the operation of the bolsters and ram; said control means including manual control actuators and means for mounting said manual control actuators at positions adjacent each of said loading positions whereby operators standing in position to load each of said bolsters can actuate said manual control actuators at their respective positions but cannot reach under said ram.

Claim 23

A traveling bolster assembly for presses including a ram or punch having a centerline which moves in a general plane; said assembly comprising two bolsters, each bolster extending substantially the entire width of said ram on its respective side thereof; means for mounting said bolsters for opposing movement generally transverse to both the general plane oF movement and said centerline of the ram on opposing sides of the ram; means for reciprocating each of said bolsters on only its respective side of said centerline between a loading position wherein material to be worked is loaded on said bolster at a position spaced horizontally from the ram from which the operator cannot reach under the ram and a working position wherein said bolster is in alignment beneath the ram and a work operation is performed by the ram on the material loaded on said bolster; said loading positions of each of said bolsters being on opposite sides of the ram; said working positions of each of said bolsters being adjacent but on opposing sides of the ram with no portions of said bolsters being in said loading positions whereby each bolster is simultaneously in alignment with the ram along its entire side of the ram and material loaded on each bolster may be simultaneously worked by the ram; power means for moving said bolsters between said loading and working positions; and control means for controlling the operation of the bolsters and ram; said control means including manual control actuators and means for mounting said manual control actuators at positions adjacent each of said loading positions whereby operators standing in position to load each of said bolsters can actuate said manual control actuators at their respective positions but cannot reach under said ram.

Claim 24

The traveling bolster assembly of claim 15 wherein said manual control actuators are mounted above each of said loading positions.

Claim 25

The traveling bolster assembly of claim 15 wherein each of said bolsters includes a front edge which is the farthest edge from the ram when the assembly is mounted on a press; said manual control means being mounted a distance beyond said front edge away from said ram.